Click here to chat online with a Buckeye CableSystem Representative

	High-Speed Internet:
	Buckeye Express
	Technical Updates
	Product Overview and Helpful Information
	Dial-Up Internet:
	Buckeye Access
	Technical Updates

Buckeye Photo Album from Buckeye CableSystem. Share your favorite photos with friends and family over the Internet.

More

Online Safety

The Internet was designed to allow computers to freely communicate. Any means to connect to the Internet, whether it is a telephone modem, cable modem, or digital subscriber line, is a two-way connection. You can send information and receive information. While most Internet communications are not a threat to you or your computer, there are people who, for a variety of reasons, would try to gain access to your computer. Commonly known as "Hackers," they could attempt to "break into" your computer for either the challenge or to hide other activities. This is similar to your home. Knowing your address, a potential thief may come to your home and test the doors and windows to see if there is an easy way to enter your house to gain access to your valuables. In the Internet world, you have an address also. This Internet Protocol (IP) address is necessary to identify you to the Internet sites to which you connect. The hacker can use an IP address to probe the doors to see if it is easy to enter. Your computer has logical doors associated with the IP address. If the hacker can find one that is open, he may invite himself in. There are several ways to prevent this from happening. The most secure way is to turn your computer off when it is not in use. This, however, reduces the value of the always-on connection with services like cable modems. If you want to leave your computer on, it is important to make sure that your computer is not told to allow others to access your computer and its associated files. This feature is called "file and print sharing" and is typically turned off. You can check this by clicking on the "Network" icon in your control panel and clicking on the "File and Printer Sharing" button. This will show you if this feature is turned on. When it is turned off, outside access to your computer files is blocked by the operating system of your computer. (Please note: the information provided here may not be the same for all computer operating systems.) There are other tools that can be used to protect your computer system from intruders. Having firewall protection software installed on your computer, is another way to provide additional protection for your computer. In summation, Buckeye Express is no less secure than another access to the Internet. The unique thing about Buckeye Express is that you have the option to leave it "on" all the time if you choose. Other Internet access providers shut you off after a certain length of time. If you have information in your PC that should be protected from other PC users, consider the above tips as ways to accomplish this.